Musical percussion instrument

Abstract

Disclosed is a percussion instrument comprising a first mounting ring, a second mounting ring, a shell between the first and second mounting rings, and means for connecting the first and second mounting rings and for preventing transmission of axial loads to the shell. One means for decoupling the shell from axial loads comprises means for connecting the first and second mounting rings and for defining a minimum axial distance between the mounting rings which is greater than the axial length of the shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A percussion instrument comprising: (a) a first mounting ring having a first groove therein;   (b) a second mounting ring having a second groove therein;   (c) means for mounting a batter head under tension over at least said first mounting ring;   (d) means for connecting said first and second mounting rings together and for defining an axial distance between the first and second grooves of said mounting rings; and   (e) a shell having axial ends disposed in the grooves of said first and second mounting rings and having an axial dimension between said axial ends less than the axial distance between the grooves of said mounting rings such that there is an axial spacing between at least one of said ends and the adjacent one of said grooves whereby axial loads are prevented by said axial spacing from being transmitted to said shell.   
     
     
       2. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein said first and second mounting rings are circular mounting rings. 
     
     
       3. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein said shell is a substantially cylindrical shell. 
     
     
       4. The percussion instrument of claim 1 further comprising a batter head tensioned over said first mounting ring. 
     
     
       5. The percussion instrument of claim 4 further comprising a second membrane tensioned over said second mounting ring. 
     
     
       6. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein said means for connecting comprises a plurality of load posts which establish the axial distance between said first ring and said second ring. 
     
     
       7. The percussion instrument of claim 6 wherein said load posts are formed from an aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       8. The percussion of claim 1 wherein said means for mounting comprises: said membrane including a flesh hoop; and a counter hoop in tensioning engagement with said flesh hoop. 
     
     
       9. The percussion instrument of claim 1, wherein said shell is fitted in the grooves of said mounting rings so as to be rotatable relative to said mounting rings. 
     
     
       10. The percussion instrument of claim 9, including a liner of compressive, low-friction material disposed in each of said grooves adjacent each axial end of said shell. 
     
     
       11. A percussion instrument comprising: (a) a first mounting ring;   (b) a second mounting ring;   (c) means for mounting a batter head under tension over at least said first mounting ring;   (d) a shell having an axial dimension defined by opposite axial ends of said shell, said shell being disposed between said first and second mounting rings; and   (e) means for connecting said first and second mounting rings together at a fixed axial distance such that there is an axial spacing between at least one axial end of said shell and the adjacent one of said mounting rings whereby axial loads are prevented by said axial spacing from being transmitted to said shell.   
     
     
       12. The percussion instrument of claim 11 wherein said first and second mounting rings are circular mounting rings. 
     
     
       13. The percussion instrument of claim 11 wherein said shell is a substantially cylindrical shell. 
     
     
       14. The percussion instrument of claim 11 further comprising a batter head tensioned over said first mounting ring. 
     
     
       15. The percussion instrument of claim 14 further comprising a second membrane tensioned over said second mounting ring. 
     
     
       16. The percussion instrument of claim 11 wherein said means for connecting comprises a plurality of load posts which establish the fixed axial distance between said first ring and said second ring. 
     
     
       17. The percussion instrument of claim 16 wherein said load posts are formed from an aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       18. The percussion instrument of claim 11 wherein said means for mounting comprises said membrane including a flesh hoop and a counter hoop in tensioning engagement with said flesh hoop. 
     
     
       19. The percussion instrument of claim 11, wherein said shell is fitted to said mounting rings so as to be rotatable relative to said mounting rings. 
     
     
       20. The percussion instrument of claim 19, including a liner of compressive, low-friction material disposed between each of said mounting rings and each axial end of said shell. 
     
     
       21. A percussion instrument comprising: (a) a first mounting ring having an annular groove with a shoulder portion;   (b) a second mounting ring having an annular groove with a shoulder portion;   (c) means for mounting a batter head under tension over at least said first mounting ring; and   (d) an annular shell having opposite axial ends captured between the shoulder portions of the annular grooves in said first and second mounting rings such that said shell is rotatable in said grooves relative to said first and second mounting rings and axial loads transmitted between said first and second mounting rings are not transmitted to said shell.   
     
     
       22. The percussion instrument of claim 21 wherein said mounting means comprises means substantially independent of said shell for mounting a drum head membrane under tension. 
     
     
       23. The percussion instrument of claim 21 comprising means for demountably connecting said first and second mounting rings and for removably retaining said shell between and in contact with said mounting rings such that axial loads placed on said first or second mounting rings are substantially completely carried by said connecting means. 
     
     
       24. The percussion instrument of claim 21, including a liner of compressive, low-friction material disposed in each of said grooves adjacent each axial end of said shell. 
     
     
       25. The percussion instrument of claim 21, wherein at least one axial end of said shell is axially spaced from the shoulder portion of the adjacent annular groove so as to prevent axial loads from being transmitted to said shell.